Rapid reaction: Panthers defense stakes its claim, still not enough in Week 4 for loss to Vikings
The Carolina Panthers, in what Adam Thielen described as a playoff-like game throughout the week, came out somewhat ready to play. Well, at least the defense came ready to play. With No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young back in the fold, the offense struggled with familiar issues — a lack of verticle attack and an […]
The Carolina Panthers, in what Adam Thielen described as a playoff-like game throughout the week, came out somewhat ready to play.
Well, at least the defense came ready to play. With No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young back in the fold, the offense struggled with familiar issues — a lack of verticle attack and an inability to move the ball — while the other side of the ball shined through the shade, to borrow a former Panthers quarterback's saying.
The Panthers sit at 0-4 after a 21-13 loss at home. It was a game the Panthers could have won for several reasons. Let's dive into some moments that are worth pointing out from a disappointing Sunday result.
Panthers defense forcing turnovers
The Minnesota Vikings came into Bank of America Stadium as one of the more lethal offenses in the league. And in the first quarter, it looked as if Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson were to have their way with the depleted Panthers secondary. But then Sam Franklin Jr. happened. With the Vikings facing a third-and-goal, Franklin nabbed a 99-yard pick-6. It was the first pick-6 of his career and the first pick-6 for the Panthers since a matchup with the LA Rams in 2022.
Take a look at the play:
The 99-yard return allowed Franklin to usurp Julius Peppers for the longest interception return in franchise history. Peppers' record had stood since 2004 — when he tallied a 97-yard return against the Denver Broncos.
The defense followed that play up with a late first-half interception that set up a field goal, allowing the Panthers to take a six-point lead heading into halftime.
Being down several players in the secondary, the Panthers defense held up its end of the bargain by forcing turnovers. To that, you have to tip your cap.
Run game uncertainty
When the Panthers brought in Miles Sanders from the Philadelphia Eagles on a four-year, $25.4 million, it isn't wildly inaccurate to assume they could get more out of him than 13 carries for 19 yards.
But they haven't.
Sanders hasn't had one game where he looked like the same running back from a season ago. Maybe it has something to do with the terrible offensive line the Panthers routinely trout out week in and out. In Philadelphia, Sanders was running behind one of the best O-lines in the league. With the Panthers, it is the exact opposite.
He hasn't looked like the same player, and the Panthers are suffering for it. Sanders was one of the uncertain bets the front office made in the offseason. Before the 2022 season, he was known more for his pass-catching than for running between the tackles. It seems that last year was an aberration.
Sanders has returned to the norm in his career. And through four weeks, he has yet to prove why he was worth the investment. Chuba Hubbard had more carries and more yards (14 and 41) for a reason.
Bryce Young anxiety?
The second half was far more interesting than the first. And counting stats-wise, Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings was arguably Young's best game thus far. He threw for 204 yards and completed 25 of 32 passes. It wasn't enough.
Against the Vikings, Young still didn't push the ball downfield. He still held on to the ball for far too long. He took extremely untimely sacks that stalled the Panthers' offense in several critical situations. For example, the strip sack late in the third quarter that game Minnesota life and the lead in a game that was decided by one possession.
Young is undoubtedly dealing with the pressure of performing. His contemporaries continue to find success, while he stalls and struggles to put the ball in the endzone.
So, at some point, someone has to ask: Is it still too early to have some anxiety regarding whether Young can be the franchise guy? Honestly, no. The Panthers gave up a lot to get him, and the Alabama product has yet to show why he was worth the risk.
Sam Franklin Jr. nabbed first career pick-6 and passed a Panthers legend in the process
It’s a moment only Holywood writers could conjure up.
